A 29-year-old man from Wisconsin has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, Zoey Chafer, who died in 2021 after suffering severe physical abuse and a lethal level of alcohol poisoning. Domenic Robert Falkner was convicted after pleading no contest to repeated physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm and chronic child negligence resulting in death.
Details of the Crime
Falkner’s sentence stems from the tragic death of Zoey, who had been diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy at birth. The young girl was nonverbal, unable to move, and reliant on a feeding tube for basic nutrition and hydration. Falkner, who moved in with Zoey’s mother, Samantha S. Smith, in August 2020, had been an approved caregiver for Zoey and was being paid by the state to care for her.
On July 28, 2021, medics responded to a 911 call from the apartment complex in Hayward, Wisconsin, where Zoey lived. Upon arrival, they declared the 4-year-old dead at the scene. Initially, the Sawyer County Coroner’s Office did not order an autopsy but did collect a blood sample from Zoey for further analysis.
Shocking Blood Alcohol Levels
The blood sample was sent to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, which revealed a staggering blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.572 g/100mL at the time of Zoey’s death. For context, this is more than seven times the legal limit for an adult driver in Wisconsin, which is 0.08 g/100mL. Medical studies indicate that a BAC of 0.25-0.399 is considered alcohol poisoning, and a BAC above 0.40 can lead to coma or death due to respiratory arrest.
Autopsy and Homicide Determination
Following the blood analysis, the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office exhumed Zoey’s body and performed an autopsy. The results confirmed that the cause of death was acute ethanol toxicity, with the medical examiner noting that such high levels of ethanol in a non-ambulatory child pointed to intentional administration by another.
In addition to the alcohol poisoning, the autopsy revealed signs of physical abuse, including abrasions, contusions, and healing fractures. These injuries were consistent with non-accidental trauma and indicated that Zoey had been physically abused over a period of time.
Admission and Sentencing
Both Samantha S. Smith and Domenic Falkner reportedly admitted to investigators that they were the only adults present in the home during the time the alcohol was introduced into Zoey’s system. They also acknowledged being the only ones responsible for operating Zoey’s feeding tubes.
As part of a plea agreement, the charge of first-degree intentional homicide against Falkner was dismissed but read in. Falkner was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after serving 85% of his sentence, which means he will likely spend more than a decade behind bars. Additionally, he will serve five years of probation following his release.
The Mother’s Sentence
Zoey’s mother, Samantha S. Smith, also pleaded guilty to the same charges as Falkner and was similarly sentenced to 15 years in prison earlier this year. The tragic death of Zoey has left her family devastated, and both Falkner and Smith will now face lengthy prison sentences for their roles in her death.
This case underscores the extreme vulnerability of children with special needs and the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse. Zoey’s tragic end highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable children from harm, especially when entrusted to the care of those who are supposed to nurture and protect them.
